The Titans have reached the midpoint of the season with a 5-3 record and are tied for first place in the AFC South. Beat reporter Jason Wolf offers up midseason cheers and jeers:

MVP: Marcus Mariota

Mariota has thrown just six touchdowns to five interceptions this season, but he's the reason the Titans have a chance to win each week. That became abundantly clear, if it wasn't already, when Mariota missed six quarters with a hamstring injury. The Titans were hammered in Houston, when Mariota was hurt on his second touchdown run, and lost the following week at Miami, where the franchise quarterback remained sidelined. Mariota returned, despite hampered mobility, to lead the Titans to a three-game winning streak, including victories against the Colts on "Monday Night Football" and on the road against the Browns, before finally getting healthy during the bye week. The Titans defeated the Ravens on Sunday.

Runner up: Ryan Succop

Succop has made an NFL record 55 consecutive field goals from inside 50 yards.

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Titans kicker Ryan Succop spoke with the media following his record setting performance on Monday Night.
Autumn Allison/USA TODAY NETWORK-Tennessee

Breakout star: Kevin Byard

The second-year safety from MTSU has seven takeaways — an NFL-leading six interceptions and a fumble recovery — after going without a turnover during his rookie season. Byard had three interceptions in a 12-9 overtime victory against the Browns on Oct. 22, and added two more picks against the Ravens. He became just the fifth player since the NFL-AFL merger in 1970 to record five interceptions over a two-game span, and the first to accomplish the feat in franchise history.

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Titans head coach Mike Mularkey celebrates with safety Kevin Byard (31) who had three interceptions during the team's win over the Browns at FirstEnergy Stadium Sunday, Oct. 22, 2017 in Cleveland, Ohio. George Walker IV / Tennessean.com

Teammates celebrate with Titans safety Kevin Byard (31) in the fourth quarter after his third interception of the day at FirstEnergy Stadium Sunday, Oct. 22, 2017 in Cleveland, Ohio. George Walker IV / Tennessean.com

Titans head coach Mike Mularkey celebrates with safety Kevin Byard (31) who had three interceptions during the team's win over the Browns at FirstEnergy Stadium Sunday, Oct. 22, 2017 in Cleveland, Ohio. George Walker IV / Tennessean.com

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Beginning to emerge: Derrick Henry

Henry remains a fan favorite after winning the Heisman Trophy and national championship at Alabama in 2015, and also remains behind DeMarco Murray on the Titans’ depth chart at running back. But the second-year pro has earned a larger share of the workload and twice set career-high rushing totals this season. Henry churned out 92 yards and a touchdown on 14 carries in a Week 2 victory against the Jaguars in Jacksonville, taking over in the second half with Murray dealing with a tight hamstring. Henry erupted for 131 yards on 19 carries, including a game-sealing 72-yard score in the final minute, during the prime-time victory against the Colts.

Biggest letdown: Eric Decker

The Titans' red zone offense was expected to receive a major boost with the offseason addition of the veteran wide receiver. Decker entered this season with 43 receiving touchdowns since 2012, which ranked fifth in the NFL, and 33 touchdowns in the red zone, the second most in the league over that span. But Decker has just 26 catches for 247 yards and one touchdown, which finally came in Sunday's game against the Ravens.

Runner up:Matt Cassel

With Mariota injured, Cassel completed 25 of 42 pass attempts for 162 yards, one touchdown, two interceptions, two fumbles and a 55.9 passer rating over six quarters against the Texans and Dolphins. He was sacked eight times.

Tennessee Titans outside linebacker Kevin Dodd (93) walks into the locker room in the second quarter with a hip contusion of a preseason game against the Chiefs Arrowhead Stadium Thursday, Aug. 31, 2017 in Kansas City, Mo. George Walker IV / tennessean.com

Tennessee Titans outside linebacker Kevin Dodd (93) recovers a fumble by the Chiefs in the first half of a preseason game at Arrowhead Stadium Thursday, Aug. 31, 2017 in Kansas City, Mo. George Walker IV / tennessean.com

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Best rookie: Adoree’ Jackson

Jackson, the 18th overall pick out of USC, is the leader in the clubhouse for this award at the midpoint of the season. But Corey Davis, who missed the last five games with a hamstring injury, could challenge him with a big second half. Jackson won a starting cornerback job toward the end of training camp and has contributed on kickoffs and punt returns. He had a punt return touchdown against Seattle wiped out by penalty, and is still waiting on his first score.

Runner up: Jayon Brown

A fifth-round draft pick at the 155th overall selection, the inside linebacker out of UCLA has appeared in all eight games. He has 27 tackles and three pass breakups.

Biggest surprise: 2nd half vs. Jaguars

The Titans unloaded 31 points in the second half of a Week 2 victory at Jacksonville, after leading just 6-3 at halftime. Derrick Henry, Delanie Walker and Jalston Fowler scored rushing touchdowns, and Jonnu Smith hauled in his first career score in the rout. The Titans scored on their final six drives, excluding kneels in victory formation at the end.

Tennessee Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota (8) enjoys a laugh as they lead the Jaguars 30-3 in the fourth quarter at EverBank Field Sunday, Sept. 17, 2017 in Jacksonville , Fl. George Walker IV / The Tennessean

Tennessee Titans head coach Mike Mularkey congratulates his players, including center Ben Jones (60) as they leave the field in the fourth quarter against the Jaguars at EverBank Field Sunday, Sept. 17, 2017 in Jacksonville , Fl. George Walker IV / The Tennessean

Tennessee Titans fullback Jalston Fowler (45) is congratulated after his touchdown run in the fourth quarter against the Jaguars at EverBank Field Sunday, Sept. 17, 2017 in Jacksonville , Fl. George Walker IV / The Tennessean

Tennessee Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota (8) enjoys a laugh on the sideline as they lead the Jaguars 30-3 in the fourth quarter at EverBank Field Sunday, Sept. 17, 2017 in Jacksonville , Fl. George Walker IV / The Tennessean

Jacksonville Jaguars running back Leonard Fournette (27) gets the team's first touchdown in the fourth quarter against the Titans at EverBank Field Sunday, Sept. 17, 2017 in Jacksonville , Fl. George Walker IV / The Tennessean

Tennessee Titans tight end Jonnu Smith (81) races up the field for a touchdown in the fourth quarter against the Jaguars at EverBank Field Sunday, Sept. 17, 2017 in Jacksonville , Fl. George Walker IV / The Tennessean

Tennessee Titans tight end Jonnu Smith (81) races up the field for a touchdown to make the score 30-3 over the Jaguars at EverBank Field Sunday, Sept. 17, 2017 in Jacksonville , Fl. George Walker IV / The Tennessean

Tennessee Titans tight end Delanie Walker (82) pulls in a first-down catch in the fourth quarter against the Jaguars at EverBank Field Sunday, Sept. 17, 2017 in Jacksonville , Fl. George Walker IV / The Tennessean

Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry (22) dives in for a 17-yard touchdown run in the third quarter against the Jaguars at EverBank Field Sunday, Sept. 17, 2017 in Jacksonville , Fl. George Walker IV / The Tennessean

Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry (22) rushes 17 yards up the field for a touchdown in the third quarter at EverBank Field Sunday, Sept. 17, 2017 in Jacksonville , Fl. George Walker IV / The Tennessean

Titans cornerback Adoree' Jackson (25) races up the field with a return past Jacksonville Jaguars punter Brad Nortman (3) in the third quarter Sunday, Sept. 17, 2017, at EverBank Field in Jacksonville, Fla. George Walker IV / The Tennessean

Tennessee Titans running back DeMarco Murray (29) dives for extra yards in the third quarter against the Jaguars at EverBank Field Sunday, Sept. 17, 2017 in Jacksonville , Fl. George Walker IV / The Tennessean

Tennessee Titans cornerback Curtis Riley (35) runs back with an interception in the second quarter against the Jaguars at EverBank Field Sunday, Sept. 17, 2017 in Jacksonville , Fl. George Walker IV / The Tennessean

Tennessee Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota (8) scrambles out of the pocket in the second quarter against the Jaquars EverBank Field Sunday, Sept. 17, 2017 in Jacksonville , Fl. George Walker IV / The Tennessean

Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry (22) stops short of the goal line in the third quarter against the Jaguars at EverBank Field Sunday, Sept. 17, 2017 in Jacksonville , Fl. George Walker IV / The Tennessean

Tennessee Titans wide receiver Rishard Matthews (18) dives for extra yards after a catch in the second quarter against the Jaguars at EverBank Field Sunday, Sept. 17, 2017 in Jacksonville , Fl. George Walker IV / The Tennessean

Tennessee Titans kicker Ryan Succop (4) kicks his second field goal to make the score, 6-3, over the Jaguars at EverBank Field Sunday, Sept. 17, 2017 in Jacksonville , Fl. George Walker IV / The Tennessean

Tennessee Titans wide receiver Taywan Taylor (13) injures himself in the second quarter against the Jaguards at EverBank Field Sunday, Sept. 17, 2017 in Jacksonville , Fl. George Walker IV / The Tennessean

Jacksonville Jaguars running back Leonard Fournette (27) runs with the ball in the second quarter against the Titans at EverBank Field Sunday, Sept. 17, 2017 in Jacksonville , Fl. George Walker IV / The Tennessean

Tennessee Titans tight end Delanie Walker (82) dives for a first down in the first quarter against the Jaguars at EverBank Field Sunday, Sept. 17, 2017 in Jacksonville , Fl. George Walker IV / The Tennessean

Tennessee Titans wide receiver Eric Decker (87) pulls in a first-down catch in the first quarter against the Jaguars at EverBank Field Sunday, Sept. 17, 2017 in Jacksonville , Fl. George Walker IV / The Tennessean

Tennessee Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota (8) throws a first-down pass to tight end Delanie Walker (82) in the first quarter against the Jaguars at EverBank Field Sunday, Sept. 17, 2017 in Jacksonville , Fl. George Walker IV / The Tennessean

Tennessee Titans kicker Ryan Succop (4) kicks a 40-yard field goal to tie up the game against the Jaguars in the first quarter at EverBank Field Sunday, Sept. 17, 2017 in Jacksonville , Fl. George Walker IV / The Tennessean

Tennessee Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota (8) scrambles out of the pocket against Jacksonville Jaguars outside linebacker Telvin Smith (50) at the end of the first quarter at EverBank Field Sunday, Sept. 17, 2017 in Jacksonville , Fl. George Walker IV / The Tennessean

Tennessee Titans wide receiver Taywan Taylor (13) is helped off the field after injuring his ankle on a punt against the Jaguars at EverBank Field Sunday, Sept. 17, 2017 in Jacksonville , Fl. George Walker IV / The Tennessean

Jacksonville Jaguars kicker Jason Myers (2) kicks a field goal for the team's first points against the Titans at EverBank Field Sunday, Sept. 17, 2017 in Jacksonville , Fl. George Walker IV / The Tennessean

Tennessee Titans running back DeMarco Murray (29) takes a handoff from quarterback Marcus Mariota (8) early in the first quarter against the Jaguars at EverBank Field Sunday, Sept. 17, 2017 in Jacksonville , Fl. George Walker IV / The Tennessean

Tennessee Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota (8) throws during the first half of the game against the Jaguars at EverBank Field Sunday, Sept. 17, 2017 in Jacksonville , Fl. George Walker IV / The Tennessean

Tennessee Titans defensive end Jurrell Casey (99) leads his teammates in a huddle before the game against the Jaguars at EverBank Field Sunday, Sept. 17, 2017 in Jacksonville , Fl. George Walker IV / The Tennessean

Tennessee Titans tight end Jonnu Smith (81) pulls in a catch during warmups before the game against the Jaguars at EverBank Field Sunday, Sept. 17, 2017 in Jacksonville , Fl. George Walker IV / The Tennessean

Tennessee Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota (8) hands off to running back DeMarco Murray (29) during warmups before the game against the Jaguars at EverBank Field Sunday, Sept. 17, 2017 in Jacksonville , Fl. George Walker IV / The Tennessean

Tennessee Titans tight end Jonnu Smith (81) catches a pass during warmups before the game against the Jaguars at EverBank Field Sunday, Sept. 17, 2017 in Jacksonville , Fl. George Walker IV / The Tennessean

Tennessee Titans defensive end Jurrell Casey (99) leads his teammates in a huddle before the game against the Jaguars at EverBank Field Sunday, Sept. 17, 2017 in Jacksonville , Fl. George Walker IV / The Tennessean

Tennessee Titans kicker Ryan Succop (4) gets in some kicks before the start of the game against the Jaguars at EverBank Field Sunday, Sept. 17, 2017 in Jacksonville , Fl. George Walker IV / The Tennessean

Tennessee Titans head coach Mike Mularkey chats with team owner Amy Adams Strunk before the start of the game against the Jaguars at EverBank Field Sunday, Sept. 17, 2017 in Jacksonville , Fl. George Walker IV / The Tennessean

Jacksonville Jaguars cornerback and former Brentwood Academy star Jalen Ramsey (20) stands before the start of the game against the Titans EverBank Field Sunday, Sept. 17, 2017 in Jacksonville , Fl. George Walker IV / The Tennessean

Best play: Taywan Taylor's 53-yard TD catch vs. Colts

The third-round rookie out of Western Kentucky caught his first career touchdown against the Colts, hauling in a bomb from Marcus Mariota to give the Titans the lead late in the fourth quarter of a 36-22 victory on “Monday Night Football.” The score gave the Titans a 29-22 lead with 5 ½ minutes to play.

Worst play: Matt Cassel fumble-six vs. Dolphins

Matt Cassel was blasted by Dolphins linebacker Kiko Alonso, and was controversially ruled to have fumbled in the second quarter, despite the ball traveling more than 10 yards downfield. Dolphins safety Reshad Jones returned it 38 yards for a score in a game the Titans went on to lose 16-10. Titans players insisted they heard a whistle stopping the play, and two Dolphins even left the sideline during the return, giving Miami 13 players on the field. The ruling was upheld on review.

Titans defensive end David King (95) gets help removing his jersey from Colts defensive end Margus Hunt (92) before they swapped jerseys after the Titans victory at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tenn., Monday, Oct. 16, 2017. Andrew Nelles / Tennessean.com

Titans quarterbacks Marcus Mariota (8) and Matt Cassel (16) warm up before the start of the game against the Colts at Nissan Stadium Monday, Oct. 16, 2017 in Nashville, Tenn. George Walker IV / tennessean.com

Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota (8) hands off to running back DeMarco Murray (29) during warmups before the game against the Colts at Nissan Stadium Monday, Oct. 16, 2017 in Nashville, Tenn. George Walker IV / tennessean.com

Monday Night Football sportscasters Randy Moss, right, and Steve Young chat before the Titans's game against the Colts at Nissan Stadium Monday, Oct. 16, 2017 in Nashville, Tenn. George Walker IV / The Tennessean

Chris Friesen, who is on vacation from Canada, throws a football in the fan area before a game between the Titans and the Colts at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tenn., Monday, Oct. 16, 2017. Andrew Nelles / Tennessean.com

Donna Mauer, of Orlando, Fla., rides a zipline in the fan area before a game between the Titans and the Colts at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tenn., Monday, Oct. 16, 2017. Andrew Nelles / Tennessean.com

Worst loss: Texans 57, Titans 14 (Oct. 1 in Houston)

In a word, the Titans were obliterated. Texans quarterback Deshaun Watson threw four touchdowns and ran for another score, leading Houston to its most points in a game in franchise history. Mariota left the game with a strained hamstring.

Texans linebacker Dylan Cole (51) takes an interception into the end zone for a touchdown in front of Titans tight end Delanie Walker (82) during the fourth quarter at NRG Stadium Sunday, Oct. 1, 2017 in Houston, Texas. George Walker IV / tennessean.com

Tennessee Titans quarterback Marcus Mariota (8) walks off the field after suffering a hamstring injury during the third quarter of an NFL football game against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium on Sunday, Oct. 1, 2017, in Houston. ( Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle ) Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle

Texans linebacker Dylan Cole (51) takes an interception into the end zone for a touchdown in front of Titans tight end Delanie Walker (82) during the fourth quarter at NRG Stadium Sunday, Oct. 1, 2017 in Houston, Texas. George Walker IV / tennessean.com

Texans running back Lamar Miller (26) runs in for a touchdown to make the score 44-14 in the fourth quarter against the Titans at NRG Stadium Sunday, Oct. 1, 2017 in Houston, Texas. George Walker IV / tennessean.com

Titans wide receiver Rishard Matthews (18) pulls in a first down catch near the goal line dfended by Texans cornerback Johnathan Joseph (24) during the first half at NRG Stadium Sunday, Oct. 1, 2017 in Houston, Texas. George Walker IV / tennessean.com

The Texans celebrate the interception early in the first quarter by Texans safety Andre Hal (29) agains the Titans at NRG Stadium Sunday, Oct. 1, 2017 in Houston, Texas. George Walker IV / tennessean.com

Titans linebacker Wesley Woodyard (59) and defensive tackle Jurrell Casey (99) raise their fists after the playing of the National Anthem before the start of the game at NRG Stadium Sunday, Oct. 1, 2017 in Houston, Texas. George Walker IV / tennessean.com

Titans owner Amy Adams Strunk stands with former player and current team captain Tim Shaw and head coach Mike Mularkey during the National Anthem before the start of the game against the Texans at NRG Stadium Sunday, Oct. 1, 2017 in Houston, Texas. George Walker IV / tennessean.com

Titans wide receiver Rishard Matthews (18) did not come out for the National Anthem before the game against the Texans at NRG Stadium Sunday, Oct. 1, 2017 in Houston, Texas. George Walker IV / tennessean.com

Titans head coach Mike Mularkey hands Marcus Mariota (8) the ball before the start of the game against the Texans at NRG Stadium Sunday, Oct. 1, 2017 in Houston Texas. George Walker IV / tennessean.com

Fans reach for Titans players -- defensive tackle Jurrell Casey (99), nose tackle Sylvester Williams (96) and defensive end Karl Klug (97) -- as they come onto the field before the start of the game against the Texans at NRG Stadium Sunday, Oct. 1, 2017 in Houston, Texas. George Walker IV / tennessean.com

Titans defensive tackle Jurrell Casey (99) leads the team in a huddle before the start of the game against the Texans at NRG Stadium Sunday, Oct. 1, 2017 in Houston, Texas. George Walker IV / tennessean.com

Titans cornerback Adoree' Jackson (25) makes a catch during warmups before the start of the game against the Texans at NRG Stadium Sunday, Oct. 1, 2017 in Houston , Texas. George Walker IV / tennessean.com